Comanche Brave has achieved a Timeform rating of 122 for his July Cup success, making him the highest-rated active sprinter in Europe.
His rating is only bettered by 124-rated Lazzat, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.
A strong field lined up for the 2026 July Cup, featuring winners of Royal Ascot’s four leading sprint contests.
While Comanche Brave could only finish seventh in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot, his earlier Greenlands Stakes success at the Curragh demonstrated that he possessed the ability to challenge the division’s leading performers.
The four-year-old validated that assessment with a career-best display at Newmarket, when defeating a strong field.
His performance earning a Timeform mark of 122, a rating that now places him at the head of the European sprinting division until Lazzat returns to the track.
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Timeform’s Lead Flat Analyst David Johnson said: “Following his victory in the G1 July Cup, Comanche Brave has been given a Timeform rating of 122, which makes him the best sprinter in Europe with Lazzat (124) on the sidelines.
“Royal Ascot form dominated the market for the 2026 July Cup with the winners of the King Charles III, Commonwealth Cup, QEII Jubilee and Wokingham all taking part.
“Comanche Brave had been no better than seventh at Royal Ascot, but his win at the Curragh in the Greenlands Stakes prior to that had suggested he didn’t have a lot to find at the level.
“As a four-year-old with a relatively progressive profile, he’s given full credit for his new rating for now. Sticking to 6f in the Betfair Sprint Stakes at Haydock next time looks the safe route, but the Flying Five at the Curragh will also appeal to connections, and there’s every reason to believe he’d cope at the minimum trip based on this, for all he’s yet to try it.”
Superlative Stakes first and second close to topping 2yo ratings
Curragh maiden winner Abraham Lincoln and debutant Al Hudaiba fought out a thrilling finish to the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, with the later getting the better of his more experienced rivals despite clear signs of greenness.
Both Al Hudaiba and Abraham Lincoln earned ratings of 107p, placing them only 1lb behind top-rated two-year-olds Victorious and Great Barrier Reef (both 108p).
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Liam McLaughlan 
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